Musical instrument pitch changer

Abstract

A musical instrument pitch changing apparatus for a musical instrument having at least a first and second string is disclosed. The apparatus includes a bender lever pivotally secured to the musical instrument, a rocker arm pivotally secured to the instrument for varying the tension in the first string in response to movement of the bender lever between the first and second positions. A rocker arm mount secures the rocker arm to the first selected string in a first bending configuration or to the second selected string in a second bending configuration. The rocker arm is movable between the first selected string and the second selected string of the musical instrument.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A pitch changing apparatus, comprising:
 a bender lever pivotally secured to a musical instrument configured to move between unengaged and engaged positions; 
 a bender saddle secured to the musical instrument configured to vary the tension in a string on the musical instrument in response to movement of the bender lever between the unengaged and engaged positions, wherein the bender saddle further comprises a head with a cam portion and a bore therethrough, said bore configured to receive a string threaded through the bore and wrapped around a portion of the cam section; 
 a string mount configured to secure the bender saddle to a first selected string in a first bending configuration or to a second selected string in a second bending configuration; and 
 wherein the bender saddle is configured to move between the first selected string and the second selected string of the musical instrument. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a rocker arm secured to the bender saddle, the rocker arm configured to move in response to movement of the bender lever. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a rocker arm secured to the bender saddle; and 
 a push block comprising a first collector arm and a second collector arm; 
 wherein the first collector arm is configured to engage the rocker arm in the first bending configuration, and wherein the second collector arm is configured to engage the rocker arm in the second bending configuration. 
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first collector arm is offset from the second collector arm. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a bender lever stop adjacent the bender lever.